The PGA Tour Had Its First 2023 Albatross – But What Is It?
An albatross in golf is one of the rarest achievements, revered by all. However, during the final round of the recent PGA Tour’s American Express tournament, Xander Schauffele makes one from 226 yards out.
Many people know about the significance of a hole-in-one. A hole-in-one is when a golf player manages to get the ball into the hole with a single strike (and often occurs on a shorter golf hole called a par three). However, only a few people know about the revered albatross in golf, which is arguably more challenging to achieve than a hole-in-one.
So, What is an Albatross in Golf?
An albatross is one of the most impressive shots, and it’s the golf term used when a golfer manages to shoot three-under-par in a single hole. Usually, this occurs when a golfer makes a two on a par 5 (thereby scoring -3 on the hole in terms of par).
An albatross can also happen when a player makes three strokes on a par 6. It’s a rare feat that golfers worldwide celebrate, and it’s one of the most challenging shots to make in the game.
The term comes from the expression ‘an albatross around one’s neck,’ which means something difficult to overcome. When it comes to difficulty in golf, an albatross undoubtedly takes one of the top spots. For a player to make an albatross in golf, they need to hit it long enough to get the ball to the green in two shots (on a par 5) and have the accuracy to make the second shot.
An albatross is rarer because hole-in-ones usually occur on par threes where the player can tee up the ball and has a short shot into the green. On the other hand, an albatross usually occurs when an extremely lengthy approach shot gets lucky and winds up in the hole.
To make an albatross, the golfer must hit a tee shot from the tee box of the golf course, navigate the fairway, and then hit a long iron (or even wood) with eagle-eyed precision and hole out.
Other Notable Albatrosses in Golf
One famous albatross was scored by Gene Sarazen, who achieved his “shot heard round the world” at the 1935 Masters Tournament. Sarazen had already won the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and British Open, but was still searching for the elusive Masters’ title.
On the 15th hole, Sarazen pulled out his 4-wood and hit a 235-yard shot that sailed over the water hazard, onto the green, and into the cup for an albatross. This shot was instrumental in securing Sarazen’s victory and is still remembered as one of the greatest moments in golf history. Sarazen is also carded as one of the first professional golf players ever made on albatross in a major tournament.
Here are lists of all the players who have made albatrosses at major golf tournaments:
The Masters:
- Gene Sarazen (1935)
- Bruce Devlin (1967)
- Jeff Maggert (1994)
- Louis Oosthuizen (2012)
The U.S. Open:
- Chen Tze-Chung (1985)
- Shaun Micheel (2010)
- Nick Watney (2012)
The PGA Tour Championship:
- Darrell Kestner (1993)
- Per-Ulrick Johansson (1995)
- Joey Sindelar (2006)
The British Open (The Open):
- Young Tom Morris (1870)
- Johnny Miller (1972)
- Bill Rogers (1983
- Manny Zerman (2000)
- Jeff Maggert (2001)
- Greg Owen (2001)
- Gary Evans (2004)
- Paul Lawrie (2009)
How You Can Get an Albatross
Getting an albatross in golf is extremely difficult but not impossible. It requires playing on suitable golf courses enough times and setting yourself up for success every step of the way.
The first step is to hit the ball as far as possible on a par five. The golfer should aim to have the ball end up at a distance where they will be able to reach the green in the second shot. While length is significant, it’s crucial to make sure the ball lands in the fairway. Accuracy is essential because having a golf shot from the fairway into the green ensures that the ball will have enough speed and accuracy to reach the hole.
Once the ball is in the fairway and close enough that the player can reach the green, the next step is to ensure that the approach shot is accurate and on target. The golfer should aim to land the ball within a few feet of the hole for the best shot at scoring an albatross.
Ideally, the playing conditions lie in the ground, and the distance remaining is such that the golfer is confident in their attempt and that they can make the shot. Confidence in a golfer’s swing will ensure the best chance that the ball finds its way to the hole on the second swing.
This article was produced by Planner at Heart
